Chapter 43

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Chapter 43

Seymour went to inspect his half of the Hanua Estate and found that major construction was underway on a nearby Borotna estate.

“Oh, Princess Icard is coming to recuperate soon.”

Now that he had become Baron, it was quite easy for him to go around the area and hear the rumors circulating.

“Recuperation…? Why?”

“I’m not sure why, but she’s not feeling well. Though they said it’s not a deadly disease. It was a mild case of pneumonia.”

“Why is she coming all the way here?”

“Well, rumors have it that Duke Icard cares about his daughter-in-law quite a lot. When she was orphaned, he brought her in, in person as well.”

At that, Seymour squinted at the big construction site. The servant who was delivering the rumor smiled and added. “It’s not a big deal, but everyone’s guessing that he’s making such a big fuss because he was worried.”

“Really?”

“That’s why they’re fixing the villa.”

“Hmm.”

“They’ll have a big banquet down here, too, so it will be very busy these days.”

“Holding a banquet…”

“Even though many people will ridicule her for being the daughter of a fallen Count… the banquet itself will be splendid. She’s the Princess of Icard, after all.”

He then sighed thinly.

“Although it’s far from the capital, rumors are already circulating this much here… I guess the social world isn’t easy anywhere.”

“Don’t words spread faster in places that are a bit remote and small?”

He smiled at the servant’s words. Yes, that seems to be the case… Luckily, he had been wanting to meet Princess Icard as well. There were a couple of things he wanted to ask her.

“Didn’t you say you were going up to the capital soon? The Baron won’t be able to make it, will you? Well, it’s just a formal greeting.”

After hearing what the servant said, Seymour shook his head immediately.

“No, I must attend.”

‘Isn’t the banquet a good opportunity to approach her naturally?’

“I’m from this area now anyway.”

He planned to stay a little longer because he still had something to do in this area. So, there was no reason not to wait until he met Laria. In a way, the timing was perfect.

Thinking things were going well, Seymour grinned.

Inside the Vestian Dark Information Guild.

“Sven, this is an opportunity.”

Serena said, smoothing her nails.

“I can finally meet Laria.”

Sven was seeking the opportunity to meet Laria. However, because it was difficult for her to escape and it wasn’t easy for him to easily sneak into the Duchy. Even the painter, Redian, who had contacted her last time, was almost driven out at one point.

But then, some ambiguous things happened.

Ten paintings of Redian were bought in Laria’s name. Nevertheless, as his reputation slowly rose up, the price of the painting began to soar several times.

Apparently, after being introduced to several salons, the number of his buyers suddenly increased.

“Have you talked with Laria about painting?”

Sven was surprised and asked Serena for Laria’s opinion.

Serena replied, nodding slowly.

“But… it’s not the time yet, so she told me to wait a little longer.”

“As expected, it’s worth keeping an eye on.”

“Sven, did you find out why there’s so much fuss about that artist? He had been in obscurity, but then…”

“That’s—”

Hearing so, Sven knitted his brow.

“…Seymour Letucia had been working on the background.”

“What…?”

Serena was surprised by the unexpected name and murmured in irritation.

“Wow, that stalker is horrible…”

“Where did Laria find Redian again? Anyway, it seems that Seymour had taken him to different places, as well as the salons.”

“How did Laria find him?”

Serena shook her head and flicked her tongue frustratedly.

“Anyway, let’s meet Laria and talk to her. I think I will finally be able to see her.”

Even if she went to Borotna to treat herself, Laria had to be careful about her movements as she brought all kinds of maids and employees from the Duchy.

This was why Duke Icard was a tough opponent.

Still, a very good opportunity awaits.

“They’re having a banquet there, as we expected.”

If the one and only Duke Icard wouldn’t hold a banquet for the Young Princess, she would turn into an easy prey for everyone in the social circles. The grander the banquet, the stronger Princess Icard’s presence will be as the talk of the region.

“A banquet is perfect to avoid other people’s eyes.” Serena said, lifting the black cat sitting on Sven’s lap.

“Then, we can finally tell her that she’s our long-cherished desire.”

He then laughed as though he was satisfied.

“I hope Laria will accept us without any resistance.”

7 — Family and Blood Ties.

“This is the latest trend. I think it would be really pretty if you put a diamond in the neckline.” Lisa explained passionately about stacking catalogs in front of me.

“And Tiara, just like this…”

“Tiara’s a little old-fashioned. If you’re going to put something on her head, wouldn’t this be better?”

She glared at Serena, who stepped in the midst of us looking through the catalog together.

“Can’t the doctor please be faithful to her duty?”

‘Oh, does Lisa originally have this kind of personality?’

She has a very calm and hardworking image, but after Serena came, she turned quite feisty.

“Nothing else will be suitable for Miss Laria’s first banquet dress.”

Lisa spoke as if sighing and continued.

“There will be some territoriality in the social circles of the region… That’s why she has to wear the most expensive, splendid and trendy dress in the Capital.”

Then, her eyes flashed furiously.

“It’s an important event, so don’t interfere. What’s the point of you interfering as a doctor?”

“No, if it’s such an important event, of course, I have to intervene for her mental health.”

Lisa and Serena’s opinions were divided on everything, and eventually, I had no choice but to meditate. Peace came only after Lisa agreed to choose the dress while Serena chose the accessories.

“Miss Laria, do you have any other ideas? It’s a bit of a shame—”

I wanted to choose it myself, though I wasn’t sure about the beauty standards of this world because I haven’t attended a banquet before.

“I… well, I like everything.”

“The Duke himself added that you shouldn’t worry about the budget at all. There’s no limit at all, so you don’t have to discuss it with the butler. You just have to spend the money like pouring water.”

‘Really…?’

Suddenly, I had a much higher level of taste than any others in this world’s beauty standard.

“Let’s add more jewelry to the dress and also the finest diamonds.”

‘This is a very standardized and lavish taste of having money.’

“Tell them to stick it meticulously where people can’t see it too easily.”

“So…”

Lisa was pondering. After a while, she clapped her hands excitedly.

“Maybe, I should talk to the butler and ask him to connect me to the jeweler. There’s only so much jewelry in the closet.”

“Oh, Lisa… can you do that? When things get this chaotic, I’m…”

I answered with a sigh.

“I’m so excited…”

But, there was one thing overlooked. When Duke Icardi said, ‘Spread money unconditionally,’ the scale was much larger than I expected.

Shortly after Lisa requested the butler to connect her to the jeweler, the Duke’s residence had three of the most famous jewelers in the Capital.

The jewelers lined the parlor with all the famous jewels.

“It’s a green diamond necklace called Tears of Spring Leaves that hasn’t been on the market for nearly three hundred years.”

As I saw the flashing emerald, another jeweler gave out a huge explanation.

“Everything on the market is a fake made of emerald, and even if it’s a fake, it’s very expensive. For those of you who don’t know jewelry, we recommend it more than half-baked ones.”

It was then…

“Excuse me, there’s an urgent visitor.”

There was a person who came rushing in at a very bad time. Morand, the butler, uttered with an embarrassed face.

“Miss Laria, this person said she couldn’t contact you firsthand because she came in a hurry after hearing about your departure.”

‘Is there even anyone who would rush to see me right before my departure?’

“Laria…! Oh, my God, Laria!”

The person barged into the drawing-room and hugged me before I could deduce.

“I’m sorry that I just showed up! I’m so sorry!”

With my lightning-like eyes, I noticed that the person’s gaze flashed first for a second at the jewels hanging on the table, instead of me.

“I had just found a way to contact you after hearing about everything!”

“Who, who…?”

“Oh, Laria. Auntie! It’s your auntie! Didn’t your dad ever tell you about me?”

As far as I know, my father didn’t have a sister.

“Your father’s cousin Karen Maria Rostry. I saw you once when you were three!”

Karen looked to be about in her mid-thirties and wore pretty good clothes and accessories. Tears welled up in her blue eyes. She had pink hair, similar to mine, although it was more faded.

The funny thing was that she was wearing a necklace just like ‘Tears of the Spring Leaves.’

Not a single relative from my father’s side came to their funeral after my parents died in that carriage accident. Everyone knew that my father had left debts behind.

And, of course, everyone knew that I had nowhere to go…

So, in short, my father’s cousin, who only saw me once when I was three years old, decided to take advantage of this golden opportunity.

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